With the Super Bowl and the 2024 season in the rearview mirror, ESPN insider Field Yates has shifted his focus to the offseason. He recently released his latest mock draft, projecting all 32 first-round selections.
Yates acknowledges that it's early in the process, as the upcoming NFL Scouting Combine will undoubtedly reshape draft projections. The start of free agency being a month away makes predicting team needs even more challenging.
The San Francisco 49ers hold the 11th overall pick after finishing the 2024 season with a 6-11 record. In his previous mock draft on December 11—before the regular season ended and the 49ers' draft position was set—Yates had them selecting Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen.
Yates' latest mock draft has the 49ers strengthening their offensive line with the selection of Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons, adding a successor to veteran left tackle Trent Williams.
"Trent Williams will be 37 years old in July and sat out seven games in 2024," Yates explained. "So if San Francisco wants to return to form and keep its contention window open, it must invest in the offensive line this offseason. Simmons is coming off a knee injury sustained in October, so his range is much wider than most prospects slotted this high -- medicals will be key for him. But if they check out throughout the process, Simmons' elite physical traits and quickness give him a chance to emerge as the best left tackle in the class."
Simmons is the third offensive lineman off the board in Yates' mock draft. He has LSU's Will Campbell going to the New England Patriots at No. 4 and Texas' Kelvin Banks Jr. heading to the Chicago Bears at No. 10.
Despite his shortened 2024 campaign, Simmons did enough to solidify himself as a first-round talent. He earned an 82.0 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus across 306 snaps. During that span, he allowed just one pressure and no sacks, finishing the year with a career-high 74.4 overall grade.
While Simmons suffered his injury in October, his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, assured everyone in December that the offensive lineman would be "fully cleared for practice by the start of NFL training camp."
"Learning from Williams would also be invaluable tutelage and buy San Francisco time if Simmons needs a longer recovery window," Yates added.